The Honourable Chief Minister Osbourne Fleming applauds the efforts of his ministry, in particular the Immigration Office, for its role in the tripartite meetings held between Anguilla, St. Martin and St. Maarten last week. Mr. Fleming says it has come to his attention that a number of illegal activities in human trafficking are taking place around, through and in the island.

St. Maarten’s Maritime Officer with CM Fleming

Earlier this month a number of persons were detained and deported when they failed during prosecution to prove legal entry into Anguilla. It is evident that those persons are entering the island by small craft vessel from neighbouring islands such as St. Martin and St. Maarten. This practice is extremely harmful in that it brings persons into the island without any prior knowledge or background of who they are. Additionally, if this practice is left unchecked it could encourage other illegal activities.

Mr. Fleming has authorized a period of amnesty that is presently in effect to afford persons with illegal status in Anguilla an opportunity to be regularized within a given timeframe. Nevertheless, this must not be misconstrued or misinterpreted as being indicative of any tolerance for illegal activities such as human trafficking, smuggling and or trading in illicit contrabands. On Friday, September 21st, 2007, Mr. Fleming met with authorities from St. Martin to discuss several areas in which greater collaboration was needed. Several issues were discussed and means of curtailing the difficulties that beset both islands were outlined for implementation.

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